Self-operating baseball game



Sept. 1, 1925'.

H'. F. MEALv SELF OPERATING BASEBALL- GAME 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 18. 1925 POINTS :J1/ventola l atten/w11 Sept. 1, 1925.

1,551,969 H. F. NEAL SELF OPERATING BASEBALL GAME Filed March 1.8. 1925 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Him/6W, cg Q-gwm Sept. 1, 1925.

H. F. NEAL SELF OPERATING" BASEBALL GAME Filed March 1s, 1925 "i sheets-smi 4 #4f/gewas@ l i? g Sept. l, 1925.-

H. F. NEAL SELF OPERATING BASEBALL GAME Filed Maron 1a, 1925 v sheets-sheet S.

gn/wanton ETF/WSW( sept. 1, 1925. 1,551,969

H. F. NEAL SELF' OPERATING BASEBALL GAME Filed March 18. 1925 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 51H0: una

4 Sept. 1m, 1925 Filed Maron is, 1925 7 sheets-sheet 7 31a/vanto@ MGAwM/z,

25 ground plans,

Patented Sept. 1, 1925.

HARDY F. NEAL, OF DALLAS, TEXAS.

SELF-OPERATING BASEBALL ('z|rII!lIE.\

Application led March 18, 1925. Serial No. 1G,495.

- To all whom t may concern:

l Be it known that citizen ofthe United States, residing at Dallas, inthe county of Dallas and State of 5 Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Self-Operating Baseball Games, cation.

This invention appertains to game apparatns and more game in which base balls are delivered to an automatic throwing device, which pitches the balls toward a person, or batsman over a plate who in turn endeavors to bat` the same toward a playing field inside said base ball court having different counting or scoring sect-ions thereon.

The primary object of the present invention is to generally simplify the apparatus, so that the same will be portable in its nature and easy toset up either outdoors such as at carnivals, parks and the like or indoors in permanent or semi-permanent amusement places withoutf the changing of licor or the apparatus being positioned directly on the floor or ground.

Another object of the invention is to provide af novel base ball game utilizing the standard or regulation base balls, which is positive in its operation and in which the base balls will be delivered in proper timed of which the following is a speciy l relation to the pitching device;`

A further object of the invention is the provision of a novel arrangement oftroughs and a novel arrangement of conveyor belts for rolling the balls along the troughs to the pitching apparatus, novel means being also provided for permitting the adjustment of the conveyor belts to take up slack therein icaused by climate changes and the like and to position the same relative to the troughs, whereby the hanging of the balls in the troughs is eliminated.

` A further object o-f this invention is to provide la novel court or playing eld for -use in connection with the game, .the field having different zones marked thereon con- 4stiimting.different counting or scoring sections, and the representation of a base ball diamond with the players positioned stamped thereon and suitably marked to create and stimulate interest' in the game.

I, HARDY F. NEAL, a

particularly to that type of A further object of the invention is the provision of a base ball game embodying an inclined floor and playing field or court arranged at an angle to and at one end of the Hoor, a-trough being arranged in a novel manner for receiving the balls thrown from the court and floor, lthe floor also having novel means for directing the balls toward the central portion of the trough to facilitate the quick feeding of the balls tol the throwing mechanism.

Affurther object of this invention is the provision of a. raised platform for the `batters arranged at one end of the floor in such a manner, that the possibility of balls rebounding back from the curtain and getting under the batters feet is reduced to a minimum, a novel curtain being arranged trans.`

versely of the platform so as to permit two or more batters to play Ithe game a-tpcne '.time without the possibility of injuring one another.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved means for deliverlng the base balls to the batters which embodies an operatingshaft arranged in rear of the court having associatedv therewith throwing arms at each end thereof arranged at diametrically opposed pointsvywhereby the apparatus will be balanced without jar and so that the ball will be delivered lirst to one batter and then to theV other thereby precluding the likelihood of injury to either batter.

A` further object of the invention is the provision of an improved positively operated thro-wing arm and a novel latch and release therefor, means being provided for permitting the adjustment of the arm, whereby different-kinds of balls can be thrown in 'an accurate path over plate each time where the batter stands and strikes or bats the ball into scoring field in court.

A further Aobject of the invention is the provision of a novel drives mechanism 'for the conveyor belts and novel means for adjustably mounting said mechanism in position whereby the mechanism can be accurately adjusted.

A further object of the' invention is the so as to operate provision of novel means for directing the balls from the conveyors'to oppositely exmanufacture and operate and one which can A further object of the invention 'is the provision of a novel hinge guide and brace for the releasing trigger of al throwing arm whereby the trigger will be always held in correct position, means being'also provided for accurately adjusting said trigger.

A still further object of the invention is to` provide an improved base ball machine, court and game of tlie above character, which will be durable, reliable and efiicient in use, one that will besimple and easy to be placed upon the market at a reasonable cost combined with greatest earning ciapacity with lowest operating expense for owner operating same.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and format-ion of parts, as will be Ahereinafter more specifically described, claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the complete game apparatus,

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through the same,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the operating mechanism illustrating the conveyors for delivering the base ball to the guide chutes and throwing mechanism,

F'gure 4 is a rear elevation of the operating mechanism,

Figure 5 1s a side elevation of the operaty ing mechanism illustrating the throwing arm and associate mechanism,

Flgure 6 1s a det-ail sectional view through one of the drive and guide wheels for the conveyor belt,

Figure 7 is a detail perspective view illustrating the novel gate fordirecting the pas- Sage of the base balls to first one chute and then the other, Y

Figure 8 is a detail perspective vie-w illustrating the releasing trigger for the throwing arm and the novel guide therefor,

Figure 9 is a fragmentarvplan view of the trigger carrying beam showing the releasing cam carried thereby,

Figure 10 is a detail perspective view'of the novel base ball lifting mechanism for delivering one ball at a time to a throwing arml and illustrating the novel guide therefor.

Figure llvis a fragmentary side elevation ot' the frame for the conveyors and troughs illustrating the adiustability thereof, i Figure 12 is a side elevation of one of the throwing arms showing the novel base ball receiving pocket or hand carried thereby,

Figure `13 is a front elevation of the same, Figure 14 isa longitudinal section through one'of thenovel drums carried by the operat ing shaft and the novel means of associating. the throwing arms therewith,

Figurel is afragmentary plan view illustrating the novel arrangement of the troughs and conveyors for the base balls.

Figure 16 is a detail perspective view of av support for one of the guide wheels for the conveyor belt,

Figure 17 is a detail perspective view illustrating the mount-ing of the control bar for.

the'base ball gate,

` Figure 18 is a detail side elevation illustrating the connection between the control b ar and one of the pivoted guide chute sections for the base ball,

Figure 19 is an end elevation of one of the operating i drums showing the inner face thereof and illustrating the adjustable trip arm carried thereby for operating the base ball lift mechanism for delivering one ball at a time to the throwing arm,

lFigure 20 is an elevation showing the opposite face of the drum,

Figure 21 is a plan view of the novel base and support for the drive shafts of the conupon a floor of a building without any change thereto or directly upon the ground in cases where the device is being used at parks, Carnivals and the like. This frame work 25 supports a flooring 26 which gradually inclines downwardly toward the re'ar end of the yapparatus and toward the base ball court or playing field27 which is also arranged at an incline to thevertical. This court or playing field 27 can be supported in any desired way and forms an importantl part of the present inventionV and is prefcrably constructed from flexible material, such as heavy canvas or the like. The front face of the playing field 27 is marked `by longitudinally extending lines 28 into zones.

29 which are marked Home run counts four points, Third base counts three points, Second base counts two points and First base counts onepointfj Also the represenindi- V tation of a base ball diamond 30 is placed upon the field in order to stimulate interest in the game and in order to add further attractiveness thereto the players positions can be also marked therein with the names ing field under the batsmans feet is elim inatedl dueto the raised platform 31 and l lay particular stress on this feature. means, which is generally indicated by the reference character B for throwing the balls toward the batsman is arranged directly in rear of the playing field 27 and the field is provided with suitable openings 32 through which the balls are projected. The mechanism B is so constructedas to deliverv one ball at a time to the batsman and two or more batsmen can play the game at one time. The platform 31 is preferably divided by a partition 33 formed of heavy netting or the like, so as to form a pair of battingboxes which will prevent the interference of one batsman 'with the other.

The entire game can be iorporated within' a suitable enclosure suitably treated to add -to the attractiveness thereof and as shown side walls 34 are'provided and a top wall 35 which can be provided with a sky light 36 adjacent to the field 27 so as to insure the correct lighting thereof during the dayV itime. At night time suitablejelectric lamps and reflectors can be advantageously arranged for illuminating the field and entire court. y

At the front of the device portable steps 37 are provided for permitting easy access to behad to the platform3l and these steps are arranged adjacent to the partition 33 so that persons can easily step into either one of the batting boxes.

Directly inrear of each batting box is arranged a score keeper-s stand 38 on which is disposed a score keepers card of-novel construction (not shown). Suitable netting is arranged at the front of the device but in front of the score keepers tables or stands 38.

Arranged transversely of the Hoor 26 at the rear end thereof is disposed a trough 39 into which the balls are adapted to fall after the same have been hit by the batsman. It is to be noted that the lower edge of the court or playing field 27 extends below the top face of the floor and is secured to the rear wall of the trough 39. This prevents` the balls from hopping out of they trough when the same roll down the playing field. I

A suitable conveyor generally indicated by the reference character C forming a part of the operating mechanism is arranged in The the trough and carries the b/alls toward the transverse center of the trough in rear. of

the playing' field to the throwing arms of the operating mechanism, as will be hereinafterfmore fully described.

, As much depends upon the rapidity with which the balls are delivered to the batsman the whole device is constructed to fri-- cilitate the delivering of the balls t'o the throwing arms and the quick operation of the arms. central portion of the trough 39 to save loss of time in returning'balls to the machine, the inclined iioor 26 at the longitudinaledges .thereof support inwardly directed rearwardly inclined guide cleats 40 and balls which rebound on the floor will roll down the same and strike the cleats and move toward the transverse center of the troughs. A suitable frame work of two by two indicated by reference character 4l is extend-` ed 'from the frame work. 25 rearwardly of the playing field 27 and a ioor can be laid upon this fram-e work 4l to support the transverse trough 39.

The transverse trough 39 is preferably ,divided in sections to facilitate the carrying and transporting therof and includes a pair of independent portions 42 which terminate in rearwardly directing arcuateY guides 43 at the transverse center of the tro-ugh. Communicating with the arcuate guides 43.0f the portions 42 are upwardly inclined downwardly direct-ing troughs 44 and 45 which lead into the rearwardly inclined chamber 46 having the elongated swinging gate 47 arranged therein for directing the'balls to the oppositely directed laterally extending downwardly inclined guide chutes 48 and .49, clearly shown in Figure 4 `of the drawvided for the troughs 39, 44 and 45, so that the troughs can be easily set. up and adjusted to the character of the ground on which the game is placed. This frame work also provides means whereby the pulleys In orderto direct the balls to the y A novel supporting frame work is prol and guide wheels for the conveyor belts 53 and 54 can be adjusted relative to the trough and to permit slack to be taken up in the belt caused by cli-mate changes. As shown cornerguide wheels or pulleys 55 and 56 are arranged at the terminals of the trough portions 42 and these pulleys are keyed or otherwise secured to suitable sup- Cil portingl shafts' 57 rotatably mounted in thrust bearings 58. The thrust bearings 58 are formed on oicarried by base plates 59 secured in any preferred manner to beams or supports `60 which are in turn adjustably connected by means of connecting plates 6I with longitudinally ex-tending beams 62.

The frame work also includes inclined struts 63 upon Vwhich arei arranged the troughs 44 and 45. As clearly shown these struts 63 are arranged in sections and the sectionsA are connected together by a ,brace plate 64 suitably slotted for the reception of connecting bolts 55. This permits the lengthening or shortening of the struts. It is to be also noted thatthe inner guide pulleys 56 are adjustable on the struts through the medium of suitable bolts 65 operating through slots 66 of the base plates for the '20 support of said pulleys. Similar guide and drive pulleys 67 are arranged at the inner ends of the troughs 45 and 46 and these drive pulley wheels are disposed intermediate the troughs 44 and 45 and-.the chamber 46. Intermediate pulley and drive wheels 68 are disposedy on each side of the troughs 44 and 45 between the ends of the pulley wheels and 67. These pulley wheels 68 are adjustably mounted on suitable supports 69. so as to permit the pulley wheels to be moved toward and away' from the runs of the pulley belts 53 and 54 to take up slackl therein.

l The pulley belts 53 and 54 are trained about the pulleys 55, 56,' 67 and68 in a manner clearly shown in Figures 3 and 15 of the drawings and these belts are so constructed as to roll the balls along the troughs so as to materially reduce friction and to prevent the balls from being dragged through the troughs. Each of the belts have secured thereto at equidistant spaced points suitable'triangular shaped flights 70 for engaging the said base ballsI All of the drive and guide pulley wheels are constructed substantially the same and eac-h include a hub71 and `disk shaped end plates 72 which extend beyond the periphf ery of the hub. In order to prevent slip'- (f'ping of the belt, the periphery of each hub is provided with transversely extending drive cleats -73 for engaging the said conveyor belt.

As heretobefore stated the operating v means B is arranged below the playing field 27 and embodies a bed 5 which is 'also portablel in nature and which can be fitted directly upon the ground or floor of a building. This frame 75 supports a transversely extending drive shaft 76 the forward end of which has keyed or otherwise secured thereto a drive pulley wheel 7 7, which can be driven from any preferred type of lprime mover such as an electric motor (not shown). The shaft is preferably mounted in suitablerollerI bearings 78, which bearings are-adjustably supported as at 79 by hangers'SO. This shaft 76 has keyed or othby a maximum quantity of balls will be vdelivered to the throwing mechanism. This driveI mean-s embodies intermeshing spiral gears 84 and 85 adjustably keyed respectively to the shaft 83 and to inclined shafts 86 which support the drive pulley wheels 67. The shaft v83 is also preferably mounted in balls or roller bearings which are fit'- Ated in adjustable hangers 87 carried by -the frame 75. The shafts 86 are also mounted in av novel manner so that the same can be readily adjusted to permit the proper engagement of the gears 85 with the gea-rs 84 and the proper operation of the conveyor belts. AS shown the shafts 86 adjacentv to their upper terminals are mounted in bearings 87 carried by a transversely extending plate 88 which is connected by means of screws 89 toa suitable base plate 90 carried by the frame 76.- These screws 89 are fitted in suitable slots formed in the plate 88, whereby adjustment of said plate can-be readily had. The lower terminals of the shafts 86 are mounted within suitable thrust bearings 91 which have formed thereon suitable base plates 92 which are fitted upon an incline supporting plate 93. This plate 93 is securely boltedas at 94 to a. suit-able part of thejsupporting frame work or bed 76. In order to permit the expeditious adjustment of the thrust bearings 91, so that lthe desired angular adjustment of the shaft 86 can be had, the supporting plate 93 is provided with longitudinally extending slats 95 through which are adapted to extend adjusting bolts or screws 96. These bolts or screws, pass through slots 97 formed in the orderto prevent rocking or back lashing movement thereof. v

Keyed or otherwise secured to the shaft 100 a novel ball throwing mechueach. end of anism 104 which will be described in detail. It is to be noted at this point that the shaft 100 is driven at a constant' speed from the drive shaft 76 through the medium of a suitable worm and worm wheel 105: and 106 adjustably keyed respectively to the shafts 76 and 100. The ball throwing devices 104 are arranged in front of and at the terminals of the chutes 48 and I49 and in 'order to `convey the balls tosaid throwing devices chutes 107 are provided which extend downwardly and forwardly 4toward the front of the machine. f

Each of thc ball throwing devices 104 embodies a drum 108 which includes an vannular rim 109, an end plate 110 and a hub 111 carried thereby which is keyed or otherwise secured to the shaft 100. \Arranged within the rim 109 `andsecured thereto is a bed block 112 towhich is secured a door check and closure 113. preferablyl of the Yale type. This doei' closure is of the conventional construction and has therefore not been shown in detail and it is sufficient to state, that the same includes a shaft 114,

which when turned in one direction placesA a suitable control spring therein under tension and which, when released rapidly rotates the shaft a predetermined distance and then gradually checks the rotation thereof. This mechanism is utilized for throwing the ball and a throwing arm 115 is keyed to the i i said shaft 114 and takes the placel of the usual door closing arm. This arm 115 has the outer end thereof provided with a cup or`hand116 forreceiving the lbase ball and lthis cup or hand scoops the ball from the forwardly inclined guide chutes 107. The hands 116 are shown in detail in Figures 12 and 13 and the same forms an important part of the present invention. Each hand or scoop embodies a yoke-117 adjustably carried by the arm 115. The terminals of the yoke support a semi-circular strap 118 arranged at right` angles thereto and the,

central portion of this strap has secured thereto a semi-circular strap 119. The forward terminals of the strap 118 have riveted orotherwise secured thereto an open annular band 120 which can .be rocked 0n 4the strap 118 through the medium of a suitable adjusting bolt 121 which is connected respectively to the inner ends ofthe band 120 .and the strap 119. The adjustment of the band 120 and the strap 119 `forms means for controlling -the character of `thc ball pitched. In order to balance the arm 115 a suitable ball weight 123` is connected to the inner end thereof, as clearly shown in Figure 14 of the drawings. This weight can be adjustable if desired. Y.

In order to balance the whole machine and to effectively reduce vibration the arms 115 at the opposite ends of lthe shaft 100 are arranged at diametric disposed points on the shaft, so that the'base balls will be. alternately thrown first from one side'and then the other. As stated this also gives the batsman `an opportunity to bat the balls without interference with one another.

I have provided a novel releasing mechanism for the throwing arm and this mechanism embodies a'trigger 125 which is adf justably carried by socket 126. This socket 126 is also adjustable longitudinally of a supporting beam 127 as can be clearly seenv in Figure 8 of the drawings. This beam 127 extends transversely of the bed 75 and is hingedly connected as at 128 to a suitable portion of the bed. I also prefer to make the hinge adjustable in a vertical planewhereby the height of the beam can be accurately set relative to the other operating parts ofthe mechanism. This trigger 125 is normally arranged in the path of the throwing arm and during the rotation of the `the rim 109 -of the drum. Arranged in the path of the trip arm 129 is a cam 130 carried by the beanr127 and it is obvious that when ico the trip arm strikes the cani 130 that the beam 127 will be swung inwardly and the trigger out of the path of the arm.

It is necessary to provide a suitable guide v and brace for the trigger in view of the force placed on the trigger by the arms 115. As shown a sleeve 131 slidably receives the trigger and this sleeve can be rockably carried by the upper end of a frame 132 which is preferably formed of pipe firmly bolted and otherwise secured to the bed. The sleeve is further braced and adjustably connected with the bed by turn buckle structure 133 which also allows an accurate adjustment of the trigger to bev had relative to the throw` ing arms. The trigger and the beam 127 is normally held in a predetermined position by contractile coil springs 134 which has the terminals connecting respectively to the guide sleeve 131 and a take up bolt 135 connected with the beam 127, By adjusting thc take upA bolt 135, the tension of the spring can be regulated.l v

It is preferred to feed first one ball to one chute '48 or 49 and then-the next ball to'the other chute, and as heretobefore stated the' 'gate 47 is providedfor this purpose. The

, arcuate guides with the chamber 46.

shaped lever 136 which is rockably carried by the chamber 46 in such a manner that one arm of the lever is disposed below the cham-4 yof the lock bar 139 can be regulated. The

opposite lterminals of the rock bar 139 are pivotally connectedas at 141 ,to the lower terminals of depending arms 142, t-he upper terminals of which are adjustably connected'by the means of yokes 143 to the' chutes 49. The outer lower ends of these chutes 48 and'49 are rockably connected by means of pins 144 with uprights 145 carried bythe bed 75. It is to be noted that the chutes 48 and 59 can be adjusted on the posts or standards 145 both in a vertical` and in a horizontal plane. and that these posts extend above the V-shaped bottoms of the chutes to form stops for the baseball.v As shown 'the opposite sides of the standards or posts 145 at the upper ends thereof are beveled to facilitate the passage of fthe base ball thereover, when the same are lifted by the mechanism 147 which will be hereinafter more fully described. The inner end of the chutes 48 and 49 are connected by means of fastening elements .148 with the arcuate guides 50 and 51 so that these guides will swing with the chutes and as stated the fingers 52 permit the proper alining of the Referring to Figure 4 of the drawings, it can be seen that when a base ball rolls on tojthe guide 50 and chute 48 thatV they same will rock on the pivot pin 144 causing the rocking ofthe bar 139 and the moving of the gate 47 to 4t-he opposite side of the chamber whereby the ynext ball will be guided into the guide 51 and chute 49 whereupon the gate will be moved in the opposite direction. f

The means 147 for lifting the balls one at a tine over the post 145 includes a lift arm 148 having a beveled upper end 149 on which a ball is adapted to seat. This lift arm is adapted to operate through a suitable slot in thechute adjacent to the' post and an adjustable guide strap 150 is carried by the post for the said lift arm! The lift arm` is secured to the'inner end of an elongated beam ll-which is hingedly connect/ed at its vforward end as at 152 'to a suitable portion of the bed.l This hinge can also be adjustably carried by the bed in order that the height of the beam can be accurately set'. A trip arm V153 is carried by the beam 151 and is provided with an arcuate upperj end 154 normally arranged in the path of a lift pin 155 adjustably carried bythe end plate 110 of the drum 104. This lift pin 155 is arranged ina predetermined relation relative to the throwing arm 115 and the trip pan 129 and it is obvious that when the lift pin 155 strikes the curved upper terminal 154 of arm 153 that the lift arm 148 will be raised so as to move a single ball over the adjacent standard or post 145 into the forwardly extending guidev chute 107 .and into the pocket or hand 116 of the throwing arm. To prevent movement of a base ball adjacent to the ball being lifted a. transversely extending stop strap 156 is carried by the trough as `clearly shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings.

- Suitable a11to111atid`sh11tte1s (notshown) are provided for the ball openings in the ball playing field 27.

In the operation of the improved device thejbaseV balls will be collected in the trough 39 and carried into the chamber 46 where the same will be directed by the gate 47 first into one trough 48 and then into the other. The. balls will now be fed one at a time. by the lift arm into theguidechutes and into the cups or hands 116 where the same will be thrown through the playing field by the arms 115 upon the release of the same by v*the triggels' 125 as heretofore explained. As the balls are pitched over fthe plate toward the batsman the same are struck or batted toward the playing or scoring field 'and wherever the ball first hits or strikes, the same counts a predetermined number of points and the score of a particular batsman is kept on the score sheet. Owing to the nature of the ball or playing field 27 the `game is practically self-explanatory and creates a maximum amount of amusement for the users thereof.

Changes in details may be made without departing from the spirit or the scope of this invention. but

lVhat I clainras new is:

1. In a game apparatus including a bed, a pair of spaced parallel shafts carried by the bed, a common operating shaft for said first mentioned shafts, a chamber located above said shaft, conveyorsleading to said chamber, guide chutes' leading toward the terminals of one of said firsty mentioned shafts, ball throwing devices carried by the terminals of the mentioned shaft and means for operating the conveyors from the other shaft of said first mentioned pair of shafts.

2. In a game apparatus, a bedI` a transversely extending operating shaft mounted upon the bed` a longitudinally extending shaft arranged .adjacent to' the front of thc bed and driven from said operating shaft, a second shaft arranged longitudinally of the bedand in spaced parallel relation to the first longitudinally extending shaft, means for operating the 4second RJlongitudinally extending shaft from the operating shaft, ball throwing'devices operated by said second mentioned shaft, a chamber arranged above said shafts, conveyors for directing balls into said chamber, guide ,chutes extending from the chamber to said ball throwing devices, inclined operating shafts for said conveyors arranged adjacent to said first mentioned llongitudinally extending shaft, and spiral "gears operatively connected to the inclined Operating shaft with said first mentioned -longitudinally extending shaft.

3. In a game apparatus, abeda drive shaft arranged transversely ofthe bed, a longitudinally extending shaftdisposed adjacent to the front of the bed and operated from said drive shaft, a second longitudinally extending shaft carried by the bed and operated from said drive shaft and disposed in drear of the first longitudinally extending shaft, a ballreceiving chamber arranged above the shaft, ball throwing devices -carried by the terminals of the second mentioned shaft, guide chutes leading from said chamber to saidball throwing devices,- conveyors leading to said chambers, adjust-v able inclined shafts for operating said conveyors and intermeshing spiral gears carried by the first mentioned longitudinally extending shaft and said operating shaft.

4. In a game apparatus, a bed, a transversely extending drive shaft carried by the.

bed, adjustable hangers for saidA driveshaft, a base ball receiving pan arranged above the drive shaft, conveyors for feeding balls to the chamber, an adjustable inclined plate arranged above the drive shaft, bearings connected with said pla-te, an adjustable base plate carried by .the bed, thrust bearings movable longitudinally and transversely of the base plate, inclined operating shaft for the conveyors mounted' in said bearings, a longitudinallyextending shaft operatively connected to the drive shaft, spiral gears connecting the longitudinal shaft .with the opi `erating shafts, a second longitudinally extending shaft, ball throwing devices carried by the terminals of the last mentioned shaft. and means for guiding the balls from the chamber to vsaid ball throwing devices.

'5. In a game apparatus, an inclined floor, an inclined playing field arranged at one end of the floor and extending below the floor, a transversely extending trough connected respectively to the floor and the playing field, inclined troughs communicating with the first mentioned troughs and leading in rear of said playing field, a chamber c0mmunicating with the inclined trough, ball throwing` devices disposed in rear of the playing'field on each side 0f the Chamber,

means for directing one ball' atI a time to the ball throwing devices, and conveyor belts arranged in said trough each including triangular shaped plates for engaging and rolling balls along the troughs, and means for operating said belt including adjustable guide land drive pulleys, inclined operating shafts for certain of said pulleys, adrive ing with the rear end of the chamber andextending from the opposite side thereof,

forwardly extending guide chutes communieating 'with the outerv terminals of a laterally extending` guide chute and terminating` adjacent to said ball throwing devices, means rockably connecting the outer terminals of the laterally extending chutes to the bed, an elongated gate arranged in the longitudinal center -of the chamber for movement from one side thereof to the other for controlling the movement ofthe balls to first one chute and then thether, anL-shaped lever movable with said gate, a rock bar mounted for movement at a point intermediate its ends, meansv connecting the, terminals -of a rock bar to the laterally extending guide chutes and a forwardly extending arm connected with the central vpor-tion of` the rock bar, and operatively connected to said L-shaped lever for causing movement of said gate upon movement of said laterally extending chute.

7. In a game apparatus, a bed, a pan for receiving' base balls arranged above the bed, ball throwing devices arranged on `each side of the pan, means for 4operating said ball throwing devices alternately, means for feeding base ballspto said pan, laterally'extending guide chutes communicating with the rear end of the pan and extending fron. opposite sides thereof and automatically operating the gate disposed in the pan for guiding balls first into one chute and then into the other, a stop disposed at the outer end of each chute, forwardly extending guide chutes arranged belpw the stops and leading to said ball throwing devices, and a lift arm movable through the laterally extending chutes and slidably associated with said stop for moving the balls oneat a time over said stopV and into said forwardlyv extending guide chutes, andl means actuated from said ball throwing devices for operating said lift arm.

8. In agame apparatus, a bed, a pan for receiving baseballsarranged abojve the'. bed',

chutes arranged below the stops and lead-l ing to said ball throwing devices, a lift arm movable through the 'laterally extending chutes and slidably associated with said stop for moving the balls one at a time over said stops. the upper face of said lift arm being inclined for engaging a ball. a rearwardly extending beam, means hingedly connecting the forward ends of the beam with the bed, means connecting the rear end of the lift arm 'with the beam, an adjustable lift arm connected with the beam having an arcuate upper terminal.- and an ,adjustable lift pin carried bysaid ball throwing devices for engaging the arcuate terminals of said adjustable lift arm. A

9. In a game apparatus, a bed, a pan arranged above the bed at t@ central portion thereof, conveyors for introducing base balls intot-he pan, base ball throwing devices arranged on opposite sides of the pan.

' means communicating with the rear end of the pan for leading the balls one at a time alternately to said ball throwing devices, eachof said ball throwing devices including a throwing arm and a radially extending trip pin, a beam movable in ahorizontal plane, a trigger carried by the beam normallv disposed in the path of the throwing arm` for holding the sameagainst movement,

a pan carried by the beam and disposed in the path of said trip pin whereby upon engagement of the pin with said pan the tri ger will be moved out of the path of t e throwing arm. a guide and a brace for said trigger including a rigid frame carried by the bed, a guide sleeve receiving thetrigger connected with -the frame, means resiliently connecting the beam and guide sleeves together, and an adjustable takeup connecting the guide sleeves to said bed.

l0. In a game apparatus, a baseball-receiving pan, a supporting bed, means for delivering baseballs to the pan, laterally extending guide chutes connected with the rear end' of the pan and extending in the opposite sides thereof. ball throwing devices disposed on each side of the panfor receiving balls from said guide chutes` each of said ball throwing 'devices including a' spring operated throwing arm, means for tensioning the spring, a trigger arranged in' the path of the arm to normally hold the same against movement, a beam hingedly connected with the bed for swinging movel ment in a horizontal plana/,ineens for adjusting said beam, means adjustably connecting the trigger with the beam at a point remote from the pivot point thereof, and a trip pin 'adjustably carried by said ball throwing devices, and a cam connected with said beam and disposed in the,path of the y trip pin, and a guide and brace for saidbase balls into the pan, base ball throwing devices associated lwith, each end of the shaft, means for guiding the base balls alternately and one at a time from the pan to said ball throwing devices, each of said ball throwing devices including a drum keyed to the shaft, a door closure and check disposed within the drum and including a rotatably spring operated shaft, and a ball throwing arm connected with said shaft of the door closure, means for counter balancing the arms, and a bearing bracket connected with the drum receiving the terminal of the said shaft. a trigger for normally holding the arm against movement during rotation of the drum, a ball'receiving cup carried by the outer end of said arm and means for releasing the trigger from said drum. l

12. In a game apparatus, a bed` a longi` tudinally extending shaft carried by the bed, `means for operating the-shaft, a pan arranged above the shaft, conveyors for feeding base balls to the pan, base ball throwing devices carried by the terminals of the shaft and arranged on each side of the pan, guide, chutes extending from the rear end of the pan to said ball throwing devices, a stop at each chute, a ball raising device adjacent each stop for moving balls one at a timeover said stop, each of said ball throwing devices including a drum keyed to the shaft for rotation therewith, a door check and closure mechanism carried by the drum including a spring operated shaft. a throwing arm connected with the shaft, the throwing arms of the ball throwing devices being"A disposed in diametric relation relative to one anothermmeans for counter-balancing said arms, a trigger for normally holding the arms against movement, and an adjustable trip carried by the drum `for Operating said trigger, and an adjustable lift in carried by the drum for operating said all lifting device.

13. In a ball throwing device, a throwing arm, a ball receiving cu-p carried by said arm including a yoke adjustably connected with the 4army and a semi-circularstrap connected to the terminals of the yoke and arranged at rightv angles thereto, a. second semicircu1ar strap arranged in rear of the l yoke and connected to they first mentioned strap, an open annular band secured to the terminals of the rst mentioned strap in 'front of said yoke, and means, for ad]ust 10 HARDY F. NEAL. 

